AWACS has a potent offensive capability as an airborne command and control center, which Secretary Brown has called a “force multiplier” for the effectiveness of tactical air forces. *AWACs can be used in an offensive mode just as much as a defensive mode. You can site enemy targets and call in your aircra ft on them. If you are Iraq or you are Saudi Arabia, India or Pakistan, tha t isoffense. Mr. Chairman, we have sold I ran 209 F-4s, to Iran, 153 F-5s, 80 F-14s—30 delivered, a most sophisticated high-powered tactical air force capability. All you have got to do is put those forces up there and tell them from AWACS what to go after. Don’t accept this de fensive-only label. AWACS can be an air defense system, but AWACScan be an offensive force multiplier every bit as much
Consequently , it would be im practic al an d im pr ob able th at Ir an could use AW AC S offensively.